Novelist Her Story Is Only Half the Story

Chapter One ;I must be crazy, I tell myself, to stick my neck in a noose on my birthday. My husband, Carl, thinks my gesture is gracious and long overdue, so he kisses my cheek and bows gallantly before opening the door of my '85 Mercedes roadster. "Knock 'em dead, dear. I can't wait to hear all about it." ;My twenty-one-year-old son, Zachary, is in one of his joking moods-in fact, he's been extra-friendly and charming all day, a much-appreciated birthday gift. "I'm glad my name isn't on that class roster," he says, slipping his hands into his jeans pockets. Barefoot, he does a side-stepping little dance that tells me he's anxious to finish this family farewell so he can go out with his friends. "I'd hate to have you as a professor." ;"Your mother is a wonderful teacher." Carl smiles into my eyes. "Those people at the community college are lucky to have her." ;I slide into the low seat of the car and punch the garage door opener. "You guys can go ahead and eat some cake if you get hungry. Don't wait on me." ;Carl shakes his head. "Nonsense. We're going to sing and blow out candles when you get back." ;"It's not really a big deal." ;"It's a huge deal. How often does my best girl turn fifty-four?" ;I roll my eyes and slip my key into the ignition. ;"Hey, Mom?" ;I look at Zack, enormously grateful for another opportunity to linger at home. "Yes?" ;"You're teaching under your pen name, right?" ;The question puzzles me until I consider its source. I've agreed to teach a course at the local college . . . which means some of my son's friends might be in my class. Though I know Zack's proud of me, he's not exactly thrilled with the kind of books I write. ;I give him a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Son. I'll be Jordan Casey 'til the clock strikes nine." ;He blows out his cheeks in exaggerated relief. "Dodged a bullet." ;"You should be proud of your mother," Carl says. ;"I am, but-" ;I turn the key, allowing the rumble of the roadster's engine to drown out the father-son discussion. It's a debate I've heard before. ;"Hey." I hang my elbow over the door. "If Patty or Shannon calls-" ;"I'll tell them to call again after nine." ;"Better make that nine thirty. I'm not sure how soon I'll be able to get away." ;Carl nods as another flock of doubts swoops down to shadow my good intentions. Why on earth did I agree to teach this class? Patty and Shannon, my daughters, both live on the East Coast, which means they aren't likely to stay up if I miss their calls. Neither will forget my birthday, but Patricia is a busy lawyer, and Shannon's two little ones wear her out . . . ;"Tell the girls I'll call them tomorrow." ;I blow Carl a kiss, then slip the car into reverse and edge into the night.Hunt, Angela Elwell is the author of 'Novelist Her Story Is Only Half the Story', published 2006 under ISBN 9780849944833 and ISBN 084994483X.